An independent panel of judges on behalf of The Steel Erectors Association of America selected three steel construction projects for the association's annual Projects of the Year.

Teams from Gardner-Watson Decking (Class I for erection contracts up to $500,000), Buckner Companies (Class III above $1 million to $2.5 million), and J.P. Cullen & Sons (Class IV over $2.5 million) were honored at SEAA's 2018 Annual Convention, held in April in Greensboro, N.C.Note, no awards were granted in the Class II category ($500,000 to $1 million) for 2017. MORE

Project Red, Louisville, Ky., by Gardner-Watson Decking

Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, N.C., by Buckner Companies

Milwaukee Bucks Arena, Milwaukee, Wis., by JP Cullen

Jack Metcalfe Receives William Davis Service Award

The Steel Erectors Association of America has recognized John (Jack) Metcalfe with its William Davis Service Award. The award is given to an individual who has demonstrated a life-long commitment to service in the steel construction industry. It is the association's highest honor, presented in memory of William Davis, who held board and committee positions for nearly 20 years through the 1980s and 1990s. Recipients of the award exemplify qualities of volunteerism and generosity. MORE

Sherrie Wilkinson Named Person of the Year

Sherrie Wilkinson of L.R. Willson & Sons Inc., Gambrills, Md., was named the 2017 Person of the Year by the Steel Erectors Association of America. She came to her family's business more than 20 years ago, and currently serves as Director of Human Resources. Wilkinson has served on the SEAA Board of Directors for four terms. MORE

The Steel Erectors Association of America is a proud Partner of the national Safe + Sound Campaign, which encourages every workplace to have a safety and health program, a proactive approach to identifying, and managing workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness.

Successful programs include management leadership, worker participation, and a systematic process for finding and fixing hazards. MORE

As you prepare to participate in Safe + Sound Week, August 13-19, check out these resources from OSHA.

Jack Nix, Chairman of the SEAA Membership Committee, announces plans for a Meet & Greet reception for prospective members to learn more about the benefits of SEAA membership. Following the third quarter board of directors meeting in Orlando, Fla., on July 19, area members and non-members are invited to find out what's new in Ironworker Craft Training and Apprenticeship, and network with other business owners and managers who share your concerns.RSVP by July 13.

On the Cover: Bringing skilled labor into the steel erection industry is a critical ongoing effort for members of SEAA. According to a Construction Industry Resources report for 2017-2021, peak demand for reinforcing ironworkers is expected in Q1 of 2019, while peak for structural ironworkers is right now.

Peterson Beckner Industries (PBI) has been named the winner of a National Safety Excellence Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Based in Houston, PBI received the award March 21 during the 28th annual Excellence in ConstructionÂ® Awards at ABC Convention 2018 in Long Beach, Calif. PBI won in the Specialty Trade Contractors category.

"Peterson Beckner Industries' impressive safety record shows the clear difference that an uncompromising, top-down commitment to safety makes in a contractor's performance and we are proud to call them an ABC member," said 2018 ABC National Chair George R. Nash Jr., director of preconstruction at Branch & Associates, Herndon, Va.

In March, American Steel & Precast Erectors, Greenfield, N.H., announced it had agreed to terms to purchase the assets and ongoing business operations of Buckner Steel Erection, a division of Buckner Companies, Graham, N.C. Both companies share family-owned values, longevity in the industry, and a strong safety culture. The current management team and skilled labor force will remain in place in Graham, N.C. MORE

Bass Mechanical Names New President

Bass, an industrial contracting company located in Elizabethtown, Pa., announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously chosen Jeffrey Ream as the business's next President effective May 8th. Ream succeeds Casey Baum, who stepped down from CEO to pursue another career path after serving Bass for three and a half years with the family company. MORE

Golf and Clay Shooting Winners Claim Prizes

Networking on the golf course or shooting range is ranked as top benefit of attending the SEAA Convention & Trade Show. Thank you to 2018 sponsors, who donated prize money to sweeten the deal. MORE

Lincoln Electric Opens Welding Technology and Training Center

Lincoln Electric new Welding Technology and Training Center focuses on training welding educators, engineers and industrial professionals who are advancing welding in schools and industry globally. Additionally, the Center provides advanced technical welding training for professionals, and a comprehensive portfolio of turnkey educational solutions that can be used to launch welding training at customers' own facilities. MORE

Al Abel of Mazzela Wins Top Trainer Award

Al Abel, a Lifting Specialist with Mazzella Companies, was nominated for and awarded 2018's Corporate Top Trainer award by Crane Hot Line. The Top Trainer program recognizes trainers who excel at using innovative hands-on instruction, encourage peer or corporate accountability, demonstrate training success, and have a strong overall impact on students, the industry, or the environment.MORE

Trimble has acquired the assets of Williamsburg, Virginia-based FabSuite, LLC, a North American supplier of Management Information System (MIS) solutions for steel fabrication. With the acquisition of FabSuite software, Trimble's portfolio now includes the complete structural steel workflow for planning, managing, designing, modeling and automating the fabrication processes to maximize constructability. MORE

Won an award? Held a Topping Out ceremony? Opened a new branch? Launched a new product or service? We want to know about it. Send your news to Tracy Bennett, Connector and Newsletter Managing Editor, editor@seaa.net.

Safety Flash: A formula for safe 'Christmas treeing'

Multiple lift rigging, or "Christmas treeing," is prohibited for construction activities other than steel erection because of the hazards involved, including beams hitting other objects or people. OSHA's Sub Part R 1926.753 addresses the use multiple lift rigging assemblies, and a 2005 OSHA letter of interpretation provides additional explanation. Because of the necessity for this work practice in steel erection, crew members should understand the dangers and follow best practices. MORE

In the News

NCCCO: OSHA Removes Capacity Requirement, Comments on Proposed Rule Due June 20 More